The species was described in 1753 by Carw Linnaeus as Chenopodium ambrosioides.[4] Some researchers treated it as a highwy powymorphic species wif severaw subspecies. Today dese are considered as own species of genus Dysphania (e.g. Chenopodium ambrosioides var. andewminticum is now accepted as Dysphania andewmintica).[5][6]

The generic name Dysphania traditionawwy was appwied in de 1930s to some species endemic to Austrawia. Pwacement and rank of dis taxon have ranged from a mere section in Chenopodium to de sowe genus of a separate famiwy Dysphaniaceae, or a representative of Iwwicebraceae. The cwose affinity of Dysphania to "gwanduwar" species of Chenopodiumsensu wato is now evident.[7]

The essentiaw oiws of D. ambrosioides contain terpene compounds, some of which have naturaw pesticide capabiwities. The compound ascaridowe in epazote inhibits de growf of nearby species, so it is best to grow it at a distance from oder pwants.[9] Awdough epazote has an estabwished pwace in recipes and in fowkwore, it is wise to use onwy de weaves--sparingwy--in cooking.[10]

D. ambrosioides not onwy contains terpene compounds, but it awso dewivers partiaw protection to nearby pwants simpwy by masking deir scent to some insects, making it a usefuw companion pwant. Its smaww fwowers may awso attract some predatory wasps and fwies.

Epazote essentiaw oiw contains ascaridowe (up to 70%), wimonene, p-cymene, and smawwer amounts of numerous oder monoterpenes and monoterpene derivatives (α-pinene, myrcene, terpinene, dymow, camphor and trans-isocarveow). Ascaridowe (1,4-peroxido-p-menf-2-ene) is rader an uncommon constituent of spices; anoder pwant owing much of its character to dis monoterpene peroxide is bowdo. Ascaridowe is toxic and has a pungent, not very pweasant fwavor; in pure form, it is an expwosive sensitive to shock. Ascaridowe content is wower in epazote from Mexico dan in epazote grown in Europe or Asia.[12]